A COLLEGE has hit back at claims that it turned down the chance of £15,000, and that its vice-principal ordered a Conservative politician off campus.

A war of words has broken out over a press release issued by Hugh Neil, who is bidding to become MP for Hyndburn.

In the statement, Mr Neil accuses Accrington and Rossendale College of turning down the chance of receiving £15,000 from the private sector.

The Prospective Parliamentary candidate also claims he was told to get off the premises by college vice-principal Tim Atkinson.

But a spokesperson for the college said: "Mr Neil's allegations are completely without foundation.

"As far as the college is aware, the £15,000 does not exist."

Vice-principal Mr Atkinson said he preferred not to comment, himself, at this stage.

Mr Neil issued the press statement almost two weeks after a visit to the college's media studies department.

In it Mr Neil says: "The Accrington and Rossendale college turned down the chance of receiving £15,000 from private sector money to enhance facilities in the media studies department."

The statement adds that Mr Atkinson was very offensive, and told Mr Neil to get off the premises as he did not want to receive any funds that could be viewed as coming from Conservative business sources.

It goes on to say that Mr Neil was shocked that politics should be put before students' educational interest.

Mr Neil adds in the statement: "Would Mr Atkinson take the same stance if the money came via Labour sources ?"

Mr Neil said he had offered to help the college raise finance through his contacts in business as an international management consultant.

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